Millennials have a real taste for metal music. Where baby-boomers invented the category, years later generation Y embraced the art form. Even though metal eventually splintered into a slew of sub-genres via different bands, the guitar-driven tuneage has done well under millennial reign. Here is a list of five influential head banging, testosterone-laden metal bands from the decade 1998 to 2009. Of course, the only thing constant in life is change. But for now, enjoy this millennial hindsight.

5. Dream Theater is always being talked about among the progressive metal crowd. John Petrucci and company began in the 1980s; however, many fans consider 1999’s Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes From a Memory to be among the group’s finest work. Part of what makes DT so interesting is the band’s cover songs. At times, they can even sound a bit like King Crimson.

4.Rob Zombie used to work as a production assistant behind the scenes on the Pee-wee’s Playhouse television show during the 1980s. Who knew such a metalist lurked in his heart. It’s a good thing Rob followed his dreams, otherwise fans would have never heard songs like 1998’s “Dragula” and 1999’s “Living Dead Girl.”

3.Dimebag Darrell Abbot was a popular musician and a true artist. But it could be that Dime is more popular in death than he was alive. Too bad he had the chance to prove it. Though Dimebag was gunned down on Dec. 8, 2004, his music lives on in fans’ hearts and with aspiring guitar players everywhere. Abbott was 38.

2.Opeth is comprised of Swedish players who bring an element of death metal to the table. But listen closely and you can hear a few blues riffs thrown around by Mikael Akerfeldt and friends. Of note from the Opeth discography is 2001’s Blackwater Park. Yes, that’s Porcupine Tree’s Steve Wilson on the album. Good Choice.

1. Five Finger Death Punch rose to fame with the release of the group’s 2007 debut, The Way of the Fist. Death Punch cranks out a heavy metal vibe that sometimes verges on hard rock. Another gem from the FFDP catalog is 2009’s War Is The Answer. As far as indie artists go, these metal heads rule because they’re the genuine thing.